Ball and pin handling mechanism for bowling pin setting machines



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 27, 1945. G. J. SCHMIDT BALL AND PIN HANDLING MECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINES Filed Jan. 1, 1942 as "re m Y Ill .lll: B 4 m M 5 V N R Z E C O V v T 1- N T d 1 IJdA 4 00 R 5 6 M 4 4 W 4. w n A o m s A 7 n n1 0 1 M- Pl/l w o?- 1 Z 3V; 4| B \N), I 1 L k 2 Nov 27, 1945. J, -r 2,389 643 BALL AND PIN HANDLING MECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINES Filed Jan. 1, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 A 46 4e 49 FIG. 2. 49

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27 INVENTOR j GOTTFRIED J,SCHMIDT I z ATTORNEY Nov. 27, 1945. G. J. SCHMIDT BALL AND PIN HANDLING MECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINES Filed Jan. 1, 1942 3 Shee ts-Sheet INVENTOR. GOTTFRIED J. SCHMIDT BY 2 7 ATTORNEZ.

Patented Nov. 27, 1945 BALL AND PIN HANDLING MECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINES Gottfried J. Schmidt, Pearl River, N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Bowling Patents Management Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application January 1, 1942, Serial No. 425,318

20 Claims.

This invention relates to a bowling pin setting machine and more particularly to improvements in mechanism for returning the ball to the player after a ball has been thrown in order that the play of the game may continue as rapidly as possible.

While machines have been designed in which bowling pins and balls have been removed from the pit oi a bowling alley following the throwing of a ball at pins standing on the bed of an alley, there has always been difllculty in returning the ball to the player with suillcient rapidity to insure that the game will not lag or be unduly lengthened because of the relative slowness of the mechanism employed in returning the ball to the player. It is an object, therefore, of this invention to provide a machine in which an improved ball return mechanism is operative in returning the ball to the player in a minimum of time after its arrival in the alley pit.

While my invention is readily adaptable for use with any type of machine employing ball lifting mechanism, it relates more especially to a bowling pin setting machine havin pin and ball handling devices of the kind shown in co-pending application, Serial No. 323,062, filed March 9, 1940 by Gustaf E. Hagquist for Pit elevator for bowling pin setting machines. I have found that a more efficient and rapid ball return can be effected and have modified the mechanism shown in that application by introducing a separate and positively actuated ball handling device which normally is active in removing the ball from the pit of the alley in advance of the movement of the pin elevator which is responsible for removal of the pins from the pit and their distribution to suitable pin arranging mechanism (not shown).

It is an object of this invention to provide a bowling pin setting machine having independently operated mechanisms for conveying fallen pins and bowling balls from the pit portion of an alley to distributing devices which distribute them for the continued playing of the game.

It is a further object of my invention to provide novel pin and ball handling devices operative to remove both pins and balls from the pit of a bowling alley, but one wherein the device which handles the ball is actuated first to lift the ball from the pit and separate it from any pins which tend to associate themselves with the ball, after which the pin removing device removes pins from the pit, whereupon both devices are returned to their inoperative positions in the pit of the alley ready for handling more pins and balls as the play of the game proceeds.

a ball in the pit for causing the ball removing mechanism to remove the ball from the pit in advance of the operation of the pin handling mechanism.

My invention is further characterized by the provision of a ball lifting device operative to separate fallen pins lying in the pit of a bowling alley from a ball which is normally directed onto the ball lifting device in order that it may be raised and ejected by the ball lifting device at the appropriate time.

My invention is further characterized by a ball lifting device movable into and out of a pit of a bowling alley which normally remains in the pit until a ball has positioned itself thereon, either by gravity or positively actuated means. The invention also consists in the provision of suitable cooperating mechanism so that as the ball lifting device is raised its movements will be controlled properly for ejecting the ball therefrom, and be maintained in an elevated position spaced from the pin lifting device which operates subsequent to the lifting of the ball to convey pins from the pit for distribution and resetting.

My invention is further characterized by relatively movable pin and ball handlin members positioned in the pit of a bowling alley and means for raising these members separately at different portions of the machine cycle to convey balls and pins from the pit of the alley and means for controlling the movement of these members into and out of the pit.

My invention is also characterized by the provision of mechanism operative solely for the purpose of removing balls from the pit of a bowling alley and coacting mechanism which insures the removal of a ball from the pit if for any reason the first-named mechanism has not removed the ball.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, the invention consists in certain combinations and constructions which will in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part ofpthis specification, and in which like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the pit end of an automatic bowling machine, showing the arrangement of the improved pit, ball and pin elevator mechanism;

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the same, from line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a partial detail view of the ball lift;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of Figure 1; and

Figure 5 is -a..partial sectional view on line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the improved ball and pin handling devices are supported by vertical channel beams l suitably attached to the side walls I i of the pit. The pins P are set up in any desired playing arrangement at the end of an alley i2 over which a member i3 is adapted to sweep in order to clear the alley of fallen pins after a ball B has been thrown or to remove unwanted standing pins and deadwood" after throwing of the last ball allotted for each frame. The sweeping mechanism may be similar to that shown in Rundell patent, No. 2,250,503 granted July 29, 1941. The pins swept from the alley into the pit fall upon an apron 39 which extends over a movable platform or table i4. The thrown ball, after striking a bumper I mounted on a crossbar i6 at the rear of table [4, comes to rest upon apron 39. The table I4 is covered by a suitable mat H, such as rubber, which not only protects the balls and pins from damage, but also deadens the noise of impact. In the preferred embodiment, table I4 is provided with side beams l8 by which its rear end is hinged by bolts l9 carried by plates suitably mounted on the floor of the pit. Near its forward end, the under-side of table i4 carries a metal plate 22 to which is adjustably attached an adjustable stop 23 resting upon a spring 24 embedded in a support block 25. The plate 22 also carries two adjustable contacts 26 adapted to close a normally open switch 21 on block when the table II is moved into switch closing position by a ball falling thereon.

Located adjacent the top and to the rear of the bumper i5 is a partition 28 having a lower curved portion 28a extending to a point adjacent bumper IS in order to prevent possible jamming of pins during the operation of the apron 39. The

partition 28 may be slightly inclined and with walls 32, forms a pin receiving chamber 29 for directing pins into a pin transfer chamber 30 between partitions 3| and 32 and the side walls ill of the machine. A conveyor 33, located in the chamber carries pins P to the pin storage magazine (not shown) from whence they are transferred at desired periods by means (not shown) to the bed l2 of an alley. Near the top of partition 28 and the entrance to chamber 29 is placed an apron supporting device, such as a horizontal roller 34, mounted on a shaft 35 supported in suitable bearings formed in the side frames in of the machine and rotatable by a sprocket 36 fast thereto. This roller is provided with an angular slot 31 in which is secured, as by screws or bolts 38, one end of the pit apron 39. The apron is preferably made of any suitable flexible material or fabric, such as rubber, canvas or other cloth, or may be made up of a laminated fabric such as canvas and rubber. Since the material will be subjected to rigorous wear and tear because of the impact of balls and pins, it is essential that hereinafter fully described, and then set forth it be strong and durable. As shown in Figure 2, the apron may be constructed of a single piece of material of alley width or, if desired, it may be built up of several sections sewed or otherwise secured together.

In Figure 1, the apron is shown in its pin and ball receiving position in which it extends downwardly from roller 34 in front of bumper I! to and along mat I! of the pit table l4 and near the rear end of the alley i2 is fastened to a cross member of bar 40 formed of wood or other suitable material. The apron 39 may be attached to the bar 40 in any desired manner but it has been found that screws 42 perform this function with considerable satisfaction. It will be seen, therefore, that the apron accommodates itself readily to the pit and provides a maximum amount of space available for the reception of bowling pins and balls.

The ends of cross-bar 40 are located for engagement and travel in channel guide rails 45 which are mounted preferably on the side walls ll of and within the pit but which extend upwardly along the side of the machine as shown in Figures 2 and 4. For best results, the ends of bar 40 are provided with metal pieces secured thereto by screws, or if desired, cam rollers or other devices might be used. Bar 40 is suspended by cables 46 which run over guide pulleys 41 mounted on shafts 48 secured for rotation in the side frames ill of the machine to sheaves 49 on a shaft 50 to which sheaves they are fastened by screws 5|.

The shaft 50 is turned by a gear 52 meshing with a gear segment 53 fulcrumed on a shaft 54 and having a cam follower 55 in engagement with a track 56 of a cam 51 on cam shaft 58. The cam shaft 58 has a sprocket 59 driven through a chain 60 by a sprocket 6| on the main shaft 62 to which is affixed by a key 63 the driven member 64 of a one-revolution clutch, the driven member 65 of which runs loose on shaft 62 and is continuously driven by a chain 56 on a sprocket 6! fixed thereto by a key 68.

The clutch 64, 65 is held in disengagement by the armature 69 of a solenoid 10 connected to lever, 6911 which engages a lever ll turning on a stud l2 and depresses a spring 13 in member 64 whenever the solenoid is not energized. But, when a current flows momentarily through this solenoid, its armature 69 is pulled up, releasing the lever 'II from engagement with lever 89a thereby allowing spring 13 to raise the same against a stop surface 14 of member 64, in which position one edge of a half round portion 15 of stud 12 engages with a groove 19 in member 85, thereby interlocking the members 64 and 65 and driving the sprocket 6|. After cessation of the momentary current in solenoid 10, the armature 69 drops back into the full-line position so that, after one revolution of the clutch, the lever ll slides back under bell crank 89 and depresses spring 13, thus disengaging the clutch. Th driving clutch and control mechanism may be of the same general construction as that shown and described in the above referred to Rundell patent.

While the clutch is in engagement, a sprocket 11 on shaft 62, through a chain 18 and a sprocket 19 on shaft 80, drives a gear 8| meshing with a gear 82 on a shaft 83 having a sprocket 84, which through a chain 85, drives the sprocket 36 on roller shaft 35.

Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5 show my novel ball handling mechanism which is independently movable into and out of the pit. This mechanism in the preferred embodiment consists of a frame or cradle designated generally 98 extending transversely across the pit of the alley and comprising end support bars I00, I02, one of which bars I is provided with an angular arm I04 mounting a cam follower or roller I06 adapted for a purpose described hereinafter. Bars I00, I02 at their ends mount transverse rods, or rollers H4, H6 which preferably are so spaced that they support a bowling ball to be lifted thereby on a great circle X (Figure 1) having a radius less than the radius of a ball, which means that the ball to be lifted will rest high up on the frame for ready ejection therefrom. Balls usually vary little in diameter and hence the frame functions equally well for all balls,

' Since balls are quite expensive and rather easy to damage, in the form selected for illustration, rod IIB has a soft rubber covering, and hence balls upon arriving in the pit and on apron 39 and hitting this rod will be unaffected thereby. A similar covering can be used on rod II4 but usually this is unnecessary because it has been found advantageous for better handling of pins and balls in the pit to provide a transverse depression H8 in apron 3'9 by means of a U-shaped member I22 suitably secured to the underside of the apron in which rod I I4 may lie when the lifter frame is stationed in the pit. As shown in Figure 1, rod II4 normally lies either below the surface of the apron or substantially tangent thereto. As mentioned above, rollers may be used instead of fixed bars, although the latter have been found I very satisfactory.

As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5, frame bars I00, I02 are provided with projecting pins or stub shafts I08 pivotally mounted in slides IIO, III arranged to slide in substantially vertical guide tracks I24, I25 fixed to side walls or kick-backs II, in any suitable manner. As shown, guide tracks I24, I25 are secured in slots I23 cut on the inside faces of the kickbacks II and extend upward beyond the limits of the kickbacks, and along the outside of the vertical frames I0 (Figures 2 and 4) in .order to dispose slides IIO, III and their actuating cables H2 in best operative positions relative to their operatingfmechanism, described in detail hereinafter.

Referring to Figure 1, it will be seen that guide I24 is formed with .two cam portions I29, I28, whereas guide I25 is formed as a straight channel member in which slide III travels. It will be evident, therefore, that as slides IIO, III are raised in their respective guides to lift the frame 98 with a ball held thereon, cam follower I06 on arm I04 will follow the track of guide IIO until it reaches branch 'I2'I of cam portion I26 formed by a wall of guide I25 and a block I29 at which time frame 98 swings from ball supporting position II to ball ejecting position III and discharges the ball upon a. ball return 92 which may consist of two spaced *inclined rods or bars 90, 9I extending transversely acrosstthe machine adjacent roller 34 for discharge of the ball through one of the side frames to a conventional ball return 93. A spring I33 fixed to the upper end of block I29 yields to allow cam follower I06 to pass out of branch I2'I into guide track I25 during the upward travel of cradle 98 and constrains follower I06 to move only in track I25 as the cradle is lowered into the pit.

Pivotally mounted at I32 on the side frames of the machine are frame tilt levers I30. These levers, which are provided with pins I34 tracking in slots I36, are arranged to be engaged by bars I00, I02 as frame 98 approaches position III.

This ccaction causes the frame 98 to swing about its pivots H18 in slides IIO, III in the manner described above. Springs I 38 fixed at one end to the levers 30 normally hold the levers in the position shown in Figure 1; when frame 98 is lowered levers I30 swing downwardly on their respective pivots against the tension of springs I38. Although two tilt levers have been shown, if desired one may be eliminated.

After frame 98 has been swung to position 111, it continues to rise to its upper limits or position IV where it dwells until apron 39 carries out its designed functions of lifting pins from the pit. It will be noted (Figure 1) that apron 39 as it lifts pins is rolled upon roller 34 so that at its upper limits it assumes the dotted line position 39' inclined at an angle towards chamber 29 so that any and all pins carried thereby are discharged by gravity thereinto between bars 90, 9I. If, for any reason, a ball is not lifted by frame 98, it vwill be transported by the apron 39 along with the pins lying in the pit, and when the latter are dumped into chamber 29, the ball will be separated therefrom by bars 90, 9| for return to the player. At position IV, frame 98 is held against a pin I45 in a position substantially parallel to apron 39 by means of a spring I39 suitably flxed to the side frame at I4I. This arrangement insures against possible jamming or clogging of pins between the apron and ball lift frame.

The ball lift frame 98 is raised at the proper time by means of two sheaves I40 fixed to shaft I43 and preferably mounted outside the side frames I0. Cables II2 which extend upwardly from slides IIO, III in guides I24, I25 are fastened to the sheaves so that when the latter are rotated slides IIO, III and frame 98 attached thereto will be raised or lowered. Sheaves I40 are rotated by means of a rack I44 held in meshing engagement with a gear I42 on shaft I43 by means of a guide I46, Rack I44 is connected to a lever I48 fulcrumed on shaft 54, which lever is pro vided on its free end with a cam follower I50 tracking a cam I52 on shaft 58. Therefore, whenever a ball lands in the pit on platform I4 and shaft 58 is rotated, sheaves I40 will be rotated to raise the frame 98 and remove the ball from the pit. Cams I50 and 51 are so designed that frame 98 always moves in advance of apron 39 and effects the delivery of a ball prior to the removal of pins from the pit. I

In general the angular inclination of the platform with respect to the transverse bars of the ball resting cradle is such that the ball positions itself by gravity between the two bars. That is, the ball' lift cradle 98 is arranged t be located in the pit in any desired manner. However, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5, it is preferred to locate the cradle so that rubber covered ba II6 rests adjacent the base of the bumper (Figur 1) with the frame inclined downwardly with bar II4 positioned in transverse groove II8. In this position follower I06 lies in track I23 of guide I24. Because of this arrangement balls falling into pit P tend to roll towards the bumper, and locate themselves upon the cross bars H4, H6 of the cradle which results in the most efllcient operation of the ball lift.

Occasionally pins are lodged on Or between the transverse bars of the cradle, either alongside or in front or adjacent the bar so that there will be a tendency of the pins to push the ball out of proper located position on the cross bars. If there is a tendency for the pins to dislodge the ball from its position on the rods, the action of the cradle in moving vertically upward is such that this tendency is overcome with the net result that the pins in most instances will be re-- moved and the balls properly located thereon. The design of side guides I24, I25 is such, therefore, that the ball lifting frame or cradle 98 travels so that for the first fifteen or twenty degrees of movement in each cycle or as it begins to move upward because of the relativemovement of follower H16 in guideportion I23, the rear bars are swung upward relative to the front or rubber coated bar, such that the ball will be on or adjacent the cradle so that they remain behind on the apron while the cradle lifts the ball. In order to overcome any other tendency of balls to remain on the cradle or be lifted therewith along with the ball, means are provided for tilting the cradle at such an inclination, due to the coaction between cam follower I06 and guide |25,'so that such pins are spilled off the cradle back into the apron in the pit (see position II, Figure 1). A satisfactory inclination of the cradle is 25 to 30 with the horizontal rubber coated or forward bar resting about the lower bar. Obviously any desired inclination can be used. Because of the fact that cradle 98 is inclined downwardly towards pit platform ll during a part of its upward movement, it is maintained clear of the apron and so wear on that member is reduced. Also, because of this arrangement balls being lifted are held away from the vertical portion of the apron and at the same time any pins which might be lifted on the frame tend to drop therefrom back into the pit.

The invention above described may be varied in construction within the scope of the claims, for the particular device, selectedto illustrate the invention, is but one of many possible concrete embodiments of the same. It is not, therefore, to be restricted to the precise details of the structure shown and described.

What is claimed is:

l. A ball and pin elevator for a pin setting machine for use with an alley having a pit at one end thereof comprising, a pin receiving and lifting member extending transversely across said pit, a ball supporting and lifting frame positioned on said member, and means for imparting separate movements to said frame and member'to raise balls and pins from said pit.

2. A ball and pin conveying mechanism for use in a bowling alley pit comprising, a pin and ball receiving support located in said pit, a separate ball supporting and lifting cradle extending transversely across said pit above said support, and mechanism for imparting successive movements to said cradle and support to lift said ball and pins from said pit by separate movements.

3. A ball and pin conveying mechanism for use in a bowling alley pit comprising, a pin and ball receiving support located in said pit, a separate ball supporting and lifting cradle extending transversely across said pit above said support, mechanism for imparting successive movements to said cradle and support to lift said 'ball and pins from said pit by separate movements, and means operative upon arrival of a 'ball in said pit for setting said last-named mechanism into operation.

4. A ball handling device for use in removing bowling balls from the pit of a bowling alley having a bumper at the rear of said pit, a ball supporting and lifting frame located in front of said bumper and movable into and out of said pit, means for raising said frame in front of said bumper with a ball thereon to separate said ball from pins lying in said pit and deliver said ball to a discharge station above said bumper, means operative at said station for ejecting said ball from said frame, and mechanism operative subsequent to the removal of a ball by said frame for lifting said pins from said pit in front of said bumper and discharging the same at said station,

5. A ball lifting device for use in removing a ball from pins in a bowling alley pit comprising, a single frame member provided with a plurality of spaced ball supporting bars extending transversely across said pit, means mounting said frame member for substantially vertical movement into and out of said pit, means for imparting a plurality of motions to'said frame member during its movement with a ball supported on said bars to a ball discharge station, means for tilting said frame member at said station to discharge said ball from said frame member, and mechanism for moving said frame member cyclically into and out of said pit.

6. In a ball and pin handling mechanism for use in removing bowling balls and pins from the pit of a bowling alley having a bumper at the rear of said pit, an inclined pit platform, a flexible apron having a portion thereof extending vertically in front of said bumper, downwardly and across said platform, a transverse aperture formed in said platform, a transverse groove forming member attached to said apron adapted to rest in said aperture when said apron is in pin and ball receiving position, a ball lift cradle having spaced transversely extending ball supports movable into and out of said pit, and means for locating said cradle in said pit with one of said supports resting in said groove, and means operative upon arrival of a ball in said pit for imparting separate movements to said cradle and said apron for removing balls and pins by separate action from said pit.

7. In a ball and pin handling mechanism for use in the pit of a bowling alley having a bumper at the rear of said pit, a pit platform provided with a transverse slot inclined downwardly towards said bumper, a flexible apron having a portion thereof extending vertically in front of said bumper and downwardly across said platform, a ball lift cradle having spaced transversely extending ball supports, and side members mounting said supports movable into and out of said pit, and means for locating said cradle on said apron in said pit with one of said supports in said slot and with said side members inclined upwardly towards said bumper for receiving a ball rolling into said pit for separation from pins also lying therein.

8. In a ball and pin handling mechanism for use in the pit of a bowling alley having a bumper at the rear of said pit, a pit platform provided with a transverse slot inclined downwardly towards said bumper, a flexible apron having a portion thereof extending vertically in front of said bumper and downwardly across said platform, a ball lift cradle having spaced transversely extending ball supports, and side members mounting said supports movable into and out of said pit, means for locating said cradle on said apron in said pit with one of said supports in said slot and with said side members inclined upwardly towards said bumper for receiving a ball rolling into said pit for separation from pins also lying therein, means operative upon the arrival of a ball in said pit for imparting separate operation to said cradle and apron, means for holding said cradle inclined during its movement to a point of ball discharge, means for moving said cradle to discharge a ball therefrom, and means for maintaining said cradle spaced from said apron during the operation of the latter.

9. A ball and pin conveying mechanism for use in a bowling alley pit comprising, a pin and ball receiving apron movable into and out of said pit, a separate ball supporting and lifting cradle also movable into and out of said pit extending transversely across said pit, means for positioning said cradle in ball receiving position above and adjacent said apron in said pit, mechanism operative in response to the arrival of a ball in said pit for effecting movement of said cradle with said ball supported thereon from said pit to a point of discharge, and other mechanism operative subsequently to the movement of said cradle from said pit to effect the movement of said apron and pins held thereon to a point of discharge, said apron also being constructed and arranged to lift said ball for discharge therefrom whenever a ball fails to be lifted by said cradle.

10. Ball and pin-pit elevating mechanism for use in a bowling pin setting machine comprising a ball elevator for removing a ball from the pit of a bowling alley to a point of discharge, a pin lifting elevator used for raising pins from said pit to a point of pin discharge, means operative at said ball point of discharge for rocking said ball elevator to discharge balls carried thereby, means for lifting said ball elevator an additional amount following the discharge of a ball therefrom, and means for moving said pin elevator to a point of discharge beneath said lifted ball elevator for discharge of pins therefrom free of engagement with said ball elevator.

11. Ball and pin-pit elevating mechanism for use in a bowling pin setting machine comprising a ball elevator for removing a ball from the pit of a bowling alley, a pin lifting elevator used for raising pins from said pit to a point of pin discharge, means operative at said point of discharge for rocking said ball elevator to discharge balls carried thereby, means for lifting said ball elevator an additional amount following the discharge of a ball therefrom, means for moving said pin elevator to a point of discharge beneath said lifted ball elevator for discharge of pins therefrom free of engagement with said ball elevator, and means operative after the discharge of balls and pins from their respective elevators for returning said elevators to said pit.

12. A ball elevator for a bowling pin setting machine for use with an alley having a pit at one end thereof, said machine having spaced vertical guide tracks adjacent the sides of said pit, comprising a frame extending transversely across said pit, ball supporting members mounted on said frame, said members being constructed and arranged to support a bowling ball and allow any pins tending to be raised therewith to drop from said members back into said pit, means on said frame tracking said guide tracks, a ball guide support in said pit, mechanism for raising and lowering said frame to lift balls from said pit, means forming a part of said guide tracks for coacting with said guides on said frame for swinging said frame to eject a ball carried thereby from said frame when said frame is raised to a point of discharge, said guide tracks also including means for guiding said frame substantially vertically downward following the ejection of the ball therefrom for'relocation in ball receiving position relative to said support in said pit, a cam portion formed on one of said guide tracks adjacent said pit, and means on said frame coacting with said cam portion for positioning said frame in ball receiving position on said support in said pit for delivery of balls onto said frame.

13. In a ball and pin handling mechanism for use in removing bowling balls from the pit of a bowling alley having a bumper at the rear of said pit, an inclined pit platform, a transverse aperture formed in said platform, a ball lift cradle having spaced transversely extending ball supports movable into and out of said pit, and means for locating said cradle in said pit with one of said supports resting in said aperture, and means operative upon arrival of a ball in said pit for imparting movement to said cradle for removing balls from said pit.

14. In a ball handling device for use in separating balls from pins in the pit of a bowling alley having a bumper at the rear of said pit, and removing said balls from said pit, a ball lift cradle including spaced ball supports, said supports being constructed and arranged to hold a ball being removed from said pit and allow pins to fall therebetween back into said pit, a platform in said pit, mechanism for moving said cradle in said pit, said mechanism including means for locating said cradle on said platform and maintaining said cradle in ball receiving position relative thereto, whereby a ball may be guided by said platform onto said supports, and means operative upon arrival of a ball in said pit for operating said mechanism to cause said cradle to move with a ball out of said pit while any pins in said pit remain therein.

15. In a ball and pin handling device for use in removing bowling balls from the pit of a bowling alley having a bumper at the rear of said pit, a pit platform, means positioning said platform inclined downwardly from a point adjacent the end of said alley towards said bumper, a ball lift cradle having spaced ball support members, mechanism for moving said cradle into and out of said pit and to and from a point of discharge, means for locating said cradle in said pit with one end on said platform and the other end inclined upwardly to a point adjacent said bumper, the relative inclinations of said platform and cradle constituting means for guiding balls onto said cradle, and means for operating said mechanism to cause said cradle to move a ball from said pit to said point of discharge.

16. A pit ball elevator for a bowling pin setting machine comprising, a cradle extending transversely across and movable into and out of a pit of a bowling alley, said cradle including spaced ball supporting members spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of a ball and greater than the diameter of a pin, an inclined ball delivery support in said pit, mechanism for locating said cradle on said support in said pit and maintaining said cradle stationary relative thereto prior to the throwing of a ball in position to receive a ball guided thereon by said support, said mechanism including means for raising said cradle to separate said ball from pins lying in said pit and convey said ball separately away from said pins in said pit to a point of discharge, means operative at said point of discharge for removing said ball from said cradle, and means also forming a part of said mechanism operative cyclically for returning said cradle to said ball receiving position on said inclinedsupport in said pit after said bal1 has been discharged therefrom.

17. A ball handling device for use in removing balls from the pit of a bowling alley having a bumper at the rear of said pit comprising, a single ball supporting frame movable into and out of said pit, an inclined pit platform, means for locating said frame in said pit with one end thereof resting on said platform, so arranged that a ball falling into said pit is guided by said platform onto said frame, mechanism actuated as a result of a ball arriving in said pit to effect the movement of said frame upwardly from said pit for separating said ball from pins in said pit and conveying said ball separately away from said pins in said pit to a point of discharge, and means operative at said point of discharge for swinging said frame to eject a ball therefrom, said mechanism also including means for returning said frame to said pit after a ball is discharged therefrom, and relocating said frame in ball receiving position relative to said platform.

18. A ball lift for use in separating balls from pins and removing balls from the pit having a bumper at the rear of said pit comprising, an elongated frame adapted to extend transversely of said pit and to be moved into and out of said pit, said frame including, end members adapted to be positioned adjacent the sides of said pit, spaced elongated ball supports carried by said frame and constructed and arranged to support a ball and allow pins in said pit and resting on said frame to drop therefrom back into said pit, a ball protective covering secured to one of said supports, an inclined pit platform, and means on said frame for locating said frame in said pit with one end on said platform and the other end inclined upwardly towards said bumper, the relative inclinations of said platform and frame tending to insure delivery of balls onto said frame.

19. A ball pit elevator for raising balls from the pit of a bowling alley and separating said ball from any pins in said pit comprising a, single frame member provided with two spaced bars extending transversely across said pit, an inclined pit platform, means for locating said frame in said pit and on said platform including, means for maintaining said frame stationary in ball receiving position relative thereto, said platform being constructed and arranged to guide balls onto said frame member, means for lifting said frame member to move said balls out of said pit to a discharge position, and means for rocking said frame member at said discharge position to discharge a ball therefrom.

20. A ball elevator for a bowling pin setting machine for use with an alley having a pit at one end thereof comprising, a frame extending transversely across said pit, ball supporting members on said frame, said members being spaced to support balls while pins tending to be elevated thereby fall by gravity back into said pit, an inclined ball guide in said pit, means locating said frame in said pit and on said guide in position to receive and support balls guided thereon by said guide, mechanism for raising said frame out of said pit to a point of ball discharge and lowering and relocating said frame in position to receive balls directed thereto by said guide, means actuated in timed relation with the arrival of a ball in said pit and on said members to initiate the movement; of said frame to said point of discharge, and means operative at said point of discharge for removing balls from said members.

GOIIFRIED J. SCHMIDT. 

